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Group tours
Over the years we have welcomed many local community groups to Christ Church and given them a tour of the church, highlighting its historic features, and giving them a glimpse into the house so they can see first hand how we manage to live here. They are always proceeded by a flurry of tidying and sweeping but finish with a…
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Off to America
It has been a very emotional time for all of us, as Fred has moved to America to study at university. His passion for cycling has resulted in him being awarded a cycling scholarship by Marian University in Indianapolis, in the state of Indiana. Fred is thrilled to finally have amazing cycling facilities, such as an outdoor velodrome, on his…
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20 years!
This week we mark 20 years of Christ Church living. It is hard to believe that it has really been that long, especially when it feels like we still have so much to do. Yet thinking back, we have achieved a lot and it is these markers that make you realise just how much. During those 20 years, we have…
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Organ progress
Our William Gray pipe organ has been undergoing restoration for several years now, and the pipes lying on the top of pews after being cleaned and painted have almost become a permanent fixture. Last week we were delighted to welcome Philip and Karen Cartwright of Cartwright Pipe Organ Builders Ltd. to install the pipes back to where they belong. It…
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Unusual Things video
We have been featured on the YouTube channel ‘Unusual Things’, which focuses on finding famous graves and other quirky, unusual things. The channel’s creator, Paul, came to Welshpool in search of actor Gary Holton’s final resting place in Maesgwasted Cemetery, and keen to explore further, he wandered in during one of our open afternoons. It’s an interesting video from the…
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Repointing again
Last week we welcomed back steeplejacks Sam and James to continue the task of repointing the harder to reach areas of Christ Church. Repointing these exposed elements of the building has a huge impact on reducing the water ingress. A surprising amount of rainwater seeps down through the stones, getting in where the mortar is missing. The focus for this…
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Thomas Penson comes home
A few years ago we were involved in contributing to the research into Thomas Penson, the architect of Christ Church, for an exhibition organised by the Llanfyllin Dolydd Building Preservation Trust. It was designed to be a touring exhibition and we are delighted to be now hosting it here. John Hainsworth, who led the project has penned the following extract…
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Book launch
Ten years ago I had the idea to research the stories behind the memorials in the churchyards that were dedicated to someone that died in the First World War. On the centenary of their death, their story was put on display as part of the Remembering the Fallen of the Great War at Christ Church exhibition. The feedback and support…
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Record Breaker
Not quite church restoration related, but very much part of our family story here so I wanted to include this news in our Journal. Many of you will know that our son, Fred, is a keen cyclist and for the past 5 years or so has been involved in road racing. (He has also always been an avid reader of…
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Penson exhibition
Exhibition honours a pioneer We have been involved in an exhibition honouring the life and works of Thomas Penson, architect of Christ Church. John Hainsworth of the Llanfyllin Dolydd Building Preservation Trust has been the driving force behind the exhibition and it has been a joy to work with the steering group in helping to find out a little more…